Gambling on frost?

Question

How many gardeners out there knowingly gamble on frost/freezing with tender garden plants and flowers? I'm 3 weeks away from my average last frost date, but would love to get me tomatos in now. The 10 day forecast shows that the coldest night won't be below 36F and I have row covers that can protect from light frost, but not freezing. I have had plastic mulch down to warm up the soil for the past week so that's not an issue. I've never risked planting tomatos before May 1 in the past, but I'm tempted this year in order to get them early and have a longer season. Should I risk it? Do you risk it?

Answer 1

I'm in USDA hardiness zone 5, metro-Detroit. The USDA says our average last day for frost is May 15th. There were plenty of years where I was selling tender annuals to plant in the garden the last week of April, with very little threat of frost.

That being said, there were May's that I had to really protect my stock from being damaged by frost.

It really is a gamble. The "safest" gamble, is the smallest one, try starting a week before the 'magic day'. Then you might have a minimal chance of damage. The "best" gamble, is to transplant your tender plants into a larger container... and move them outside by day, in at night, and allow them to get the head start, 'safe and sound'.

Good luck my friend, Michigan is always a harsh mistress, when it comes to weather.

Answer 2

Use what is called a cold frame. This way you can put the plants outdoors and let them aclimate to the temperatures. If a freeze is expected, you close the cover. I have seen some people do the same thing with 2 liter bottles. Cut off the spout portion of the bottle. You plant the tomato or pepper and cover it with the bottle. The plant is protected and is in a mini greenhouse.

Answer 3

depends on where you live. When I lived in southern Ct, the earliest I ever could plant was may 1st and that was risky. The old farmes believed you could plant on the full moon and not get frosted. Usually my tomatoes were exhaused by early Oct and were no longer producing fruit. Now I live in Fl and grow all year around. Just picked my Zuchinni, beets, carrots, lettuce and planted a 2nd crop. Tomatoes are starting to produce. Had one plant of yellow cherry that was 8' tall. It got worn out so had to pull it up. Good luck!!!

Answer 4

Ah, Mother Nature!! Ah, History tends to repeat itself. Ah, the plantings dates of the last frost for your area is readily available and should be taken as the guideline.
Last week we, in Philadelphia, had seventy degree weather and blue skies. This week we have had floods and snowfall. In our region the planting of such as annuals and vegs. is at the minimum date of 05/15/00.

Answer 5

Wait until after May 1 or 2. That way you won't be kicking yourself if you get a frost.

Answer 6

I put my tomatos in about three weeks ago. I have had to cover them about 5 times due the cold or threat of hail. They are doing fine. I'm in north central Texas.

Answer 7

I always start early - I put them in a cold frame...
you can put them out in their pots under row covers untill MAY 1... that way they are outside BUT if you expect a freeze to you will still be able to bring them in...